Turn those fresh apples into something extra delicious with this easy Crockpot Applesauce Recipe!
Nothing beats the smell of homemade Crockpot Applesauce Recipe cooking in your slow cooker! Did I mention it tastes ridiculously good, too?? 😉
I grew up in Washington State, so apples were a big deal! Apples here, apples there, apples, apples everywhere! Hubs and I planted several apple trees in our backyard as soon as we bought our house. My uncle and aunt even ran an apple orchard and store! How fun is that? So needless to say, apples seemed to make their way into all sorts of recipes.
If you’ve got leftovers, just store in the fridge or freezer! Or if you’re like me… living in a house with a hungry hubby and ravishing boys, you may want to double the recipe. 🙂
With just 5 ingredients, it’s so easy to make! Here’s what you’ll need…
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Crockpot Applesauce Recipe

- 6 medium Apples {I love Gala apples!}
- ½ cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon {I love cinnamon, so I use 1 tbsp.}
- 1 teaspoon Sugar {this can be adjusted based upon the sweetness of the apples you use}
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Peel and core apples.
- Chop up into chunky pieces.
- Place apples in crockpot.
- In separate bowl, combine water, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla.
- Pour mixture over apples in crockpot, and stir around, so apples are evenly coated.
- Cover crockpot, and cook on LOW for 4 hours, or until soft.
- Once apples are soft, remove from crockpot and mash with a hand masher.
- This will make a chunky {and oh-so-yummy} style applesauce.
- For creamier applesauce, mix with a hand mixer. Enjoy!!
In the Freezer: Store up to 3 months.
What You’ll Need for This Recipe:
Hand Masher
5 – 6 quart Crock Pot
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Tried the Crockpot Applesauce?
Share with us in the comments below!
Rose Partrich says
Hi Heidi-
I just wanted to say that I’ve now made your recipe 3 times (the 3rd batch in two weeks is currently in the crockpot!) and it’s incredible. I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner- your recipe is so much better than Mott’s!
-Rose
Heidi says
Aww ~ thanks so much for the sweet comment, Rose! I’m so glad you’re loving it! 🙂
jennifer says
I love making my own applesauce, i make huge batches at a time. I don’t store my inthe fridge or freezer. I funnel it into mason jars, but the lid and ring on and process in a water bath for 20 minutes, then take the jars out and let cool. As it cools you’ll hear the lids start popping and you know they are properly sealed. I store the jars unopened in my pantry for up to 1 years. Once opened, they are stored inthe fridge for up to one week.
Tara @ A Daily Dose of Fit says
Just found this recipe on Pinterest! Love it! I replaced the cinnamon with two cinnamon sticks, left out the sugar, and it still tastes delicious!
melinda hix says
can you use green apples? i have an apple tree and the apples are green so would it be just as good?
Debby Ruffin says
will try the crockpot applesauce…have one question, could you “can” the applesauce…prepare it per recipe and then place in jars/lids/canning pot – seal then place lids….wouldn’t that work? Does your Aunt in Washington know anyone that does it that way in order to have a longer shelf life ?
appreciate any light you can shed on this..
jennifer says
I just added a comment, stating that i can my applesauce, process in a hot water bath for 20 minutes, then take out of the water and let cool, you’ll hear the lids start popping. I store for up to 1 year in the pantry, once opened store in the fridge for up to 1 week
Lori says
I tried this recipe yesterday and thought it should be called “edible air freshener” especially after I used Lemon Brite* dishwashing soap! Bonus to how awesome the applesauce was, but I did have to add quite a bit more sugar than I wanted. Anyone have a favorite, sweet, soft apple that’s good for this recipe? I don’t know my apples very well!
THANKS!
Kimberly Byrne says
I make applesauce in my crockpot all the time. The house smells so wonderful while it’s cooking. I also add a splash of lemon juice to the water and then the sauce doesn’t turn as brown.
Toni says
nom, nom, nom……. I love applesauce and this recipe sounds like… yuuuummmmyy!
Alicia @ Alicia's Homemaking says
I have a double batch of this in my crockpot right now! I used 6 large apples (fuji, braeburn, and honeycrisp) and 5 pears. 😀
Donna says
Now THAT sounds amazing!
Alyson says
Going to make this this am with my daughter! Does anyone have any recipes for apple butter? It sounds great, I’ve never tied apple butter before 😉
Jessica says
I am attempting to make this in my crockpot this morning.
Kathy says
I think I will make both,,crockpot applesauce and apple butter and can it
susan says
You can wash your apples and then cut them up- skins, seeds, everything and cook them in a pot for applesauce. When they are finished cooking, just throw them into a Foley Food mill and turn the grinder. Out comes great applesauce and you don’t waste anything. Every kitchen should have a Foley Food Mill!
Lori says
Cores and seeds contain arsenic….but apparently this works for you & no one has gotten sick….
Judy A says
Although i love the chunky cversion, my parents and gfandparents made and canned applesauce like this for years and years. You strain out cores/peels with the foley. Please don’t scare people with thoughts of arsenic.
Misty says
I peel my apples, but I put the peels in the crockpot too. The flavor is awesome and I just pull them out before I mash… so yummy!
Shannon says
I just made this today and my girls & I LOVE it!! Well be making it again! Thanks for sharing!!
Heidi says
You’re very welcome, Shannon ~ I’m so glad you liked it! 😉
~ Heidi
Mary Beth Tanner says
OMG this was the best you can e-mail direct with any other great stuff to make in the crockpot my husband loved this . THANKS SO MUCH 🙂
Katie says
I’m making applesauce in my crockpot right now. Is it safe to can the applesauce I make in the crockpot? In the past I would always freeze it, but I’d like to save some freezer space and can it instead.
Also, a tip for those who prefer organic applesauce(like we do at our house). I’ve realized that when organic apples are on sale at the grocery store (at least where I live) it’s often b/c they’re about to turn and go bad. Many times I’ve had to (sadly) toss my newly bought organic apples in the compost bin b/c they were rotting before we had a chance to eat them fresh. I finally realized these are PERFECT for making organic applesauce. Organic applesauce is so expensive (usually about $4-5 per jar in the WI area) and making it homemade with the about-to-go-bad, but still good sale apples is a cheap way to get organic applesauce (a must-have in a household with children!).
I also recommend investing $15-20 & buying an apple peeler corer slicer like this one . They make the prep work a sinch and are also great for potatoes. I’m not usually a fan of uni-taskers (kitchen tools that are for only one or two tasks), but this tool saves a TON of time when making applesauce, prepping apples for pies and other desserts or potato dishes that requires peeling and slicing.
Lori says
You’re right, I had NO idea how much I would regret selling my apple peeler/corer/slicer. I’m a fool! And thanks for the organic apple tip, organic is so expensive and I’ve had the same experiences!
sue13 says
I make mine in the crockpot also using gala…I just cook 6 apples chopped on low with nothing else. I stir every couple of hours. Towards the end I add cinnamon. No added calories and outstanding and sweet applesauce, I wouldn’t have believed that this worked but I’ve made it 4 or 5 times now and it is amazing!
Becky (and Allison) says
Thanks for posting this! I was just going to look up some receipes for crockpot applesauce. My oldest daughter was asking me if she could make some!
connie says
I’m ready to make apple sauce or apple pie as well. Could someone post their recipe for a delicious butter apple sauce? Thanks
kim says
Oh this sounds great! Sheryl and Katie, would love your recipes for apple butter!! Time for yummy fall recipes that taste great and make the house smell great too!!!
Sheryl W. says
I made apple butter a couple of weekends ago in the crock pot. It was my first time. It was unbelievable. The smell in the house was amazing. The recipe I used made five medium jars full. We canned four of the jars. We have already popped open one of the canned jars. I guess it won’t last as long as I thought. 🙂 It will be fun to make again. It is super easy and the smell is better than any fragrance on the market.
Jane says
When you canned the applesauce, did you process the jars in a canner?? I don’t process jelly, I hot pack it and my jars seal every time.
Stacy says
That sounds great!
Katy P says
Yay! I making a batch right now- can’t wait to taste it! Thank you!
Katie says
You can also make apple butter in the crockpot! Take your applesauce, add some extra spices (my grandmother liked to add those little red cinnamon candies), then prop the lid open using chopsticks or wooden spoons laid across the top. Cook until it’s super thick and you have apple butter. 🙂 I did thise with peaches this summer too.
Kennedy Zarnke says
i am going to try this recipe today. I love baking. i have always loved homemade applesauce ever since i was being baby sat. When i came upon this site i was so happy. I love all the fun crafts and yummy recipes 🙂